Family Practice at Hinkler

A Quality Family Practice Medical Centre

Meet our Newest Team Members, Dr Avashni and Dr Jash
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COVID-19 Notice! If you are unwell with Cold/Flu/COVID symptoms, please call us for advice before visiting the practice. We do not provide COVID Testing.
  • Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.00pm
  • Weekends Closed
  • Public Holidays Closed
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Address: Hinkler Central,
16 Maryborough Rd, Bundaberg 4670
Phone: (07) 4153 2927
Fax: (07) 4153 5197

Our family doctors have been serving the Bundaberg community for over 20 years. Delivering consistent and reliable healthcare to residents and visitors alike. Visit us for all your family medical needs.

Experience Matters

MEET THE DOCTORS

Dr-Avashni-Kumar-profile-hinkler-GP-Picture
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Dr Avashni Kumar

Interests: Women’s Health & Hormones | Infectious Diseases | Chronic Disease Management | Aged Care and Seniors Health | Weight management

About
Dr Avashni Kumar is an advocate for continuity of care. She aims to provide a supportive and educational environment for her patients, where they can understand and overcome any health challenges they face. Her interests include infectious diseases, chronic conditions, aged care and seniors health, as well as the women’s health.
Dr Kumar originally moved to Bundaberg from Fiji in 2019 and is excited to be returning to the community with her family. The Widebay area has been close to her heart and she looks forward to meeting our wonderful patients.

Qualifications: MBBS.
Languages: English, Hindi.
Dr-Ghazal-Panahi-profile-hinkler-family-practice
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Dr Ghazal Panahi

Interests: Musculoskeletal Health | Breast Cancer Screening | Skin Cancer Screening | Minor Surgical Procedures | Women’s Health and Contraception

About
Dr Ghazal joined our Hinkler Family Practice in 2016 and dedicates her time to her patients. While enjoying all aspects of General Practice, Dr Ghazal has interests in women’s health, including contraceptive solutions and breast screening. She is also a skin cancer GP, and offers skin screening services.
Her books are currently closed. Her regular patients can call the practice for urgent appointment availability.

Qualifications: MD, FRACGP.
Languages: English, French, Persian.
Not Taking New Patients
Dr-Jash-Singh-profile-picture-bundaberg-GP-Photo
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Dr Jash Singh

Interests: Family Medicine | Women’s Health | Chronic Disease Management | Aged Care and Seniors Health | Tropical Medicine

About
Dr Jash is dedicated to delivering holistic and effective healthcare to his patients by taking a patient-centric approach to meet each individual patient’s needs. He graduated from Fiji School of Medicine in 2013 with Honors and has spent the last decade honing his skills and knowledge for the benefit of patients and their families.
Dr Jash moved to Bundaberg from Fiji in 2019 and is excited to be returning to the community once again with his family. He has keen interest in Chronic Disease Management, Family Health, Acute Medicine, Women’s Health, Aged care and Senior’s health, as well as Tropical Medicine which is a unique branch of medicine focused on the health issues in tropical and subtropical populations.

Qualifications: MBBS.
Languages: English, Hindi.
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Dr Chris Bennett

Interests: Musculoskeletal Health | Family Medicine | Chronic Medical Conditions | Children’s Health | Men’s Health

About
Since graduating from the University of Queensland, Dr Chris has dedicated himself to medicine, obtaining experience across Australia and England. His decades spent tending to the needs of his patients has lead him work in orthopaedics, obstetrics, paediatrics and surgery. But the holistic nature and clinical diversity of general practice has always been of special interest for him.

Qualifications: MBBS, FRACGP.
Languages: English.
NP-Neralyn-Kingsbury-profile-hinkler-family-practice
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NP. Neralyn Kingsbury

Interests: Family Medicine | Allergies

About
Neralyn is one of our Telehealth providers. She is Australian-trained and obtained her Masters Degree in Nurse Practitioner Studies from the University of Queensland, allowing her to practice independently. Neralyn enjoys working with patients on managing and maintaining their health.
Nurse Practitioners are qualified to consult directly with patients on a range of general health needs. She is able to provide prescriptions, medical certificates, referrals for most imaging and pathology and can offer patients advice on managing illnesses or injuries.

Qualifications: Master of Nurse Practitioner Studies.
Languages: English.

Times may change, but we will always be there
Bundaberg has seen many changes and challenges over the years. However, our mission has not changed. The Hinkler Family Practice team will always advocate continuity of care and strive for the best patient outcomes possible. From childhood development to aged care services, we are there for everyone.

Things to Know

Service Options

At the Hinkler Family Practice we approach healthcare in a personal, coordinated manner to promote prevention, early intervention and positive lifestyle choices. This led us to change our service delivery to help you make the most of our medical services, by maximising flexibility and access for all patients. Choose how you engage with your doctor thanks to:

  • In-practice services i.e Immunisations, wound care, procedures
  • Telehealth servicesi.e for when you can’t make it to the practice
  • On-the-go easy health i.e e-Scripts, telehealth, electronic medical certificates

Book with one of our Hinkler Family Doctors today.

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Services

We are now a Mixed Billing practice. Bulk Billing remains for children 15 years and under, seniors over 75 and healthcare/pension card holders. The decision to introduce fees was not an easy one, however it was no longer avoidable. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please speak with your doctor. A fee list is available from reception. Our Doctors continue to offer bulk billed care plans and health assessments to all eligible patients.

  • Standard Face-to-Face Consults
  • Telehealth Phone Consults
  • Skin Cancer Checks
  • Childhood Immunisations
  • Injury Management
  • Minor Wound Care
  • Mental Health
  • Chronic Illness Management

*Additional Medicare eligibility criteria applies to telehealth consults for access to Medicare rebates.

Patient Information

Prescriptions

At the Hinkler Family Practice Medical Centre each doctor practices Responsible Prescribing. To maintain the best standards we use the new drug monitoring tool, QScripts to help reduce overprescribing and minimise the risk of prescription abuse. This means every medication request will be reviewed before a new prescription is provided.
Please be aware that the doctors are not obligated to issue you with a new prescription, even if you have received a prescription before.
New patients are advised to transfer their medical record, prior to requesting a script. This provides the doctor with your prescription history so they can make a responsible clinical decision. Restricted medications are never provided on the first visit.

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Medical Certificates

Medical certificates are considered a legal document. So, you will need to see a doctor in order to obtain a Medical certificate. However, you can choose between a face-to-face consult or a phone consult. To protect patient privacy, medical certificates will not include a diagnosis, however they may contain health directions, such as a period of rest or limit to duties.

Employers are invited to contact us to verify any medical certificates issued under the name of our practice or doctors.

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Test Results

Rresults are provided during a consult only. So please book either a physical or telehealth appointment if you are expecting results. Only a doctor will discuss results with a patient. Our other staff members cannot provide this information.

Recalls
SMS messages are sent to most patients when a result has returned and the doctor wishes to discuss it. However, we still recommend that patients book a follow-up consult in advance to secure your time and avoid booking delays.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept walk-ins?
No, we do not accept walk-ins. So, you will need to book an appointment. However, we understand that urgent situations do come up and we do our best to accommodate patients with urgent needs. It is still recommended that you call ahead before walking into the practice so we can triage your needs and provide advice if required.
Can I get a medical certificate for yesterday?
Medical certificates will always be dated the day of your consult. They cannot be back dated as they are a record of what was witnessed by the doctor and the doctor’s subsequent advice regarding a patient’s capacity at that time.
Backdating a medical certificate would be in breach of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
You can learn more about the guidelines and regulations relating to medical certificates from:
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority(AHPRA)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
How do I transfer my medical records?
Your medical records are important. So remember to take them with you when you change medical centres.

Transferring Medical Records To Us
You can ask us to request your medical records from a previous practice at any time. Although, we recommend arranging the transfer prior to or during your first appointment with us.
You will be required to sign a transfer authority, which we can prepare for you. We will then send this to your previous medical provider on your behalf. The benefit of transferring your records before your first consult is because it:
  • means we have a history of your medications and relevant diagnosis, so we can continue to provide prescriptions,
  • helps your new doctor make responsible clinical decisions that may have to be delayed if the information is not available,
  • can help ensure we do not “over-service” or refer you for something you have already done and;
*Please remember that without your medical history, our doctors may not be able to provide you with some services or may be forced to refuse your requests.

Other Family Practice Medical Centres

Family Practice at Sugarland
Conveniently Located

Find Us Near You

Parking
Off-street parking is available in the Hinkler Central car park. You can enter the car park from Maryborough Road or Barolin Street.


Public Transport
Bus stops are available outside Hinkler Central. Bus Routes: 1, 1A, 2A, 2B, 3, 4
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